Asm. John Lemondes

Maddy summaryThis bill places a permanent ban on state laws that require local governments (such as counties, cities, school districts, and towns) to implement new programs or services without providing funding, if the cost exceeds $10,000 annually for a single local government or $1 million statewide. It defines "unfunded mandates" to include new requirements that raise costs for local governments beyond these thresholds, regardless of whether the mandate is for new services, higher service levels, or property tax exemptions. The ban includes exceptions for court orders, federal mandates, or situations involving immediate public safety threats. The law takes effect immediately for new legislation, though it does not affect existing mandates.

Provides a personal income tax credit in the amount of any fishing and/or hunting fees paid by members of the United States armed forces in active service.

Requires the commissioner of education, in conjunction with the commissioner of health and the commissioner of mental health, to develop model mental health screenings for students and associated guidelines to assist school mental health screeners to perform mental health screening services to identify concerns in students' mental health.

Provides that the comptroller shall examine and audit all state or federal funds appropriated or received for the humanitarian aid including short term shelter services to migrant individuals and families, including costs associated with humanitarian emergency response and relief centers for individuals entering short term shelter on or after April 1, 2024 in New York city or any other municipality in New York state.

Enacts the New York state nursing shortage correction act; establishes the New York state nursing recruitment incentive and retention program; defines terms; provides for tuition benefits and the reimbursement of student loans if a person is a registered and licensed nurse; provides that SUNY and CUNY shall pay for a person's education if such person signs a contract stating that such person shall work in New York state as a registered nurse; makes related provisions; establishes the New York state nursing recruitment incentive and retention account.

Authorizes the state to allow counties to opt out of the county cost of medical assistance payments to any new enrollees who have either never received such benefits or who have reenrolled after a period of absence; directs the commissioner of health to apply for any and all federal waivers required to implement the provisions of this subdivision.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certified handicapped individuals to use ATVs on public lands *only* for transportation purposes when entering or exiting areas used for hunting during the hunting season. It specifically permits ATVs for accessing hunting grounds, not for general travel on public lands. Non-handicapped individuals remain prohibited from using ATVs on public lands except where designated for ATV use under existing rules. The change applies exclusively to transportation related to hunting access during the designated season.

Establishes a veterans in agriculture assistance and outreach program to help integrate veterans into the field of agriculture, and support veterans currently working in agriculture; designs an associated logotype for the promotion of products produced by a veteran or qualified veteran business entity.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "optometry freedom act," prohibits insurance carriers and vision plans from restricting optometrists' choices for sourcing eye care products and services. It directly affects optometrists and vision care plans by banning contractual clauses that force optometrists to use specific labs or suppliers for covered materials (like glasses, contacts, and frames) or covered services. The key provision removes restrictions on optometrists' ability to select their own suppliers for reimbursement-eligible items, such as lenses, frames, and contact lenses, without violating plan contracts. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Criminalizes the act of engaging in any scheme, plan or pattern to transport an undocumented immigrant from any location outside of New York state to a location within New York state with the intent of dropping such person off in any municipality or federal property located wholly within New York state boundaries or to transport an undocumented immigrant from any location within New York state to another location within New York state with the intent of dropping such person off in any municipality or federal property located wholly within New York state boundaries.